This was the second day that Praful Patel a businessman in Mbale was appearing before the Land Probe Commission. The Commission had asked him to return today with documents relating to the ownership of the land claimed by another family in Mbale Municipality. The Commission’s Lead Counsel Edward Byenkya asked for the documents. “So who is occupying this place?” “The tenants.” “Are they your tenants?” “There are so many tenants living there as you know, they are not taking possession of this property” “To whom was it allocated?”

The property in contention is located on plot 11 Republic Street in Mbale. It is also claimed by the family of the late John Matanda a former Deputy Mayor of Mbale Municipality. During today’s examination, Justice Bamugemereire asked Praful to organize the evidence he was presenting to the Commission. She also took offense at his manner of response. “Please continue and don’t speak back to me. In case you are used to speaking back at Africans, think again. Don’t speak back to me again.” Proceedings came to halt as the Chairperson ordered for Patel’s arrest. “Mr. Patel we can help you, can you please take this man to Wandegeya. He will come back tomorrow when he has cooled down.” Matanda’s family said their father acquired the land in 1969.